The Human Toolkit: 4 Types of Teeth Humans are omnivores, meaning our teeth are specifically evolved to handle a diverse diet of both plants and meats. Each of the 32 adult teeth has a "job description" based on its shape and location. 1. Incisors: The Scissors Location: The very front 8 teeth (4 top, 4 bottom). Shape: Thin, flat, and shovel-shaped with a sharp edge. Function: These are your "food cutters." They act like scissors to bite into food and shear off manageable pieces. 2. Canines: The